by Tom Cotton
First published 2019
Tom Cotton leads a platoon in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment between his combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. At Arlington National Cemetery, he carries flag-draped coffins from Dover Air Force Base and conducts burial ceremonies in Section 60. Cotton performs hundreds of military funerals for veterans spanning from World War II through recent conflicts. The Old Guard soldiers maintain perfect standards regardless of weather conditions, treating every ceremony as a critical mission whether for generals or privates. Cotton experiences the weight of honoring fallen soldiers on America's most sacred ground. Years later, he returns to shadow current regiment members, observing daily funerals and major ceremonies including President George H.W. Bush's state funeral. He witnesses soldiers maintaining their vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The story captures both the historical significance of America's oldest active-duty regiment and the personal dedication required to serve at Arlington's 624 acres where American heroes rest.
Genres: history, non-fiction, biography-memoir, military-history, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-significance, personal-dedication
Setting: Arlington National Cemetery, Dover Air Force Base, Section 60
Period: World War II, Iraq, Afghanistan
301 pages · Hardcover · William Morrow